Title: Is MEMS Ready for the Big Time and Undergraduate Research?

Discussion Leader: William C. Tang, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine

Room: Emerald Bay A

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is an acronym coined only 15 years ago, which describes the techniques, components and systems of micro-mechanical devices created with IC technology. Although early work in this area predated the formal introduction of the name to define this interdisciplinary engineering field, mass-produced, commercial MEMS products started to appear on the market over the past decade. By any measure, MEMS can be considered young. So is it now the time for MEMS to become a big-time hi-tech mainstream, and should it be incorporated as an undergraduate research topic?

Title: New World Disorders: Is Globalization the Problem or the Solution?

Room: Emerald Bay B

This discussion will examine several important events of the last decade through the lens of the globalization including the war on terror (from destruction of WTC to the occupation of Iraq), the post Seattle anti-globalization movement, and the impact and future of new liberal economic reforms.

Discussion Leaders: Susan Bryant, Professor of Developmental & Cell Biology, Dean of the School of Biological Sciences; Debra Richardson, Professor of Informatics, The Ted and Janice Smith Family Foundation Dean, School of Information & Computer Science
University of California, Irvine

Room: Emerald Bay C

What kinds of opportunities are available in academia? What are the key challenges and rewards of these jobs? Do women face any particular challenges as graduate students or academics? How can we increase the number of women pursuing academic careers, particularly in male-dominated fields? Our faculty panelists will discuss their passions, how they began and developed their careers, where they are now, and where they expect their careers to take them in the future.

Room: Emerald Bay E

The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power "to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries." With copyright and patents, Congress balances the public good with incentives for individuals. Recent legislation is forcing a re-examination of this balance. While much publicized copyright enforcement actions against file sharing are obvious examples of this phenomenon, it also appears with pharmaceuticals, agriculture, genetics, and even printer cartridges.

Title: Opportunities for Graduate School at UCI!

Discussion Leaders: Court Crowther, Director of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Management, Division of Research & Graduate Studies; Virginia Mann, Professor of Cognitive Sciences, Associate Graduate Dean, School of Social Sciences; Michael Mulligan, Professor of Developmental & Cell Biology, Associate Graduate Dean, School of Biological Sciences

Room: Monarch Bay A

Gather information on applying to graduate school at UCI from those who are most familiar with the process!   Learn about general academic requirements, deadlines and fees, and how to apply online through a brief, yet informative, introduction to applying to graduate school at UCI. Then, take part in interactive discussion groups focusing on the funding and research opportunities available during graduate study at UCI. Participants should bring any and all questions related to applying to graduate school at UCI.

Title: Expanding Undergraduate Research Among Community-College Students

Room: Monarch Bay B

What are the challenges and barriers of involving community-college students in undergraduate research? We will talk about what they are and how they can be overcome. We will also discuss the benefits of undergraduate research to both community-college students and faculty mentors.